Whenever the economy tanks, all eyes turn to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Cambridge nonprofit that officially determines recessions. Only try to find it.
Despite its weighty name and responsibility, NBER keeps a low profile, occupying three floors above a furniture store outside of Harvard Square. NBER functions as a virtual think tank, with the Cambridge headquarters acting as a server to link about 1,000 academic economists from universities around the world. So, at any given time, there's hardly anyone in the office. A small support staff works by day; graduate and undergraduate research assistants work by night (sometimes all night); and top economists swing in and out.
As a result, NBER does fine without the polished marble, weighty works of art, and private dining rooms associated with eminent institutions, getting along with worn carpet, fading wallpaper, and blackboards dappled in chalk formulas. Still, there's no skimping when it comes to coffee. The office kitchen boasts three kinds of machines: traditional drip, brewing Starbucks; a 3-foot-tall gizmo making coffee, decaf, half-caf, mocha, espresso, and French vanilla cappuccino; and a Keurig one-cup system with a choice of seven varieties, including hazelnut and butter toffee. Adds spokeswoman Donna Zerwitz: "We also offer a fine line of teas."
ROBERT GAVIN
